Britbike forum Forums British Motorcycle specific Brands Triumph bulletin board engine seizure mystery

To me, it sounds like most of the oil has been lost during the last two rides (80 miles?) but the question is where did all the oil go without being noticed?

Since the bike appears to be leak-free and no pool of oil was noticed on the floor after the last ride, I can only think of two possibilities, both related to the sump filling with oil whilst riding:-

- check the silencers for a black oily look inside and also the top of the pistons and cylinder head for black oily deposits.
- have a look at the breather pipe exit and the area around it, is there evidence of oil contamination?

If either of the above is true then it may suggest that the oil was burning off and blue smoke would have been seen in the exhaust. Oil may also have been spurting out of the breather.

Unless you had someone riding behind you, you would not be aware of the situation, until the engine seized.

I would check the scavenge side for any blockages which might cause the sump to fill.

Hi , Sorry, USA mechanics often call big end shells inserts. Short for rod bearing insert.
Don

Or just " bearuns"...... Ya run that motor will no "all" and them bearuns'll burn up...

I've been set back a bit now as some cretins broke into my garage and nicked my Velocette MAC and BSA SS and various tools and the new bits for the Triumph repair.
Good info from Don. How easy is it to weight match conrods if they are billet aluminium? I still have one perfect...
Chris

Wait Chris, you're saying your Velocette and a bsa were stolen? And new parts?

I wonder if your oil light was flashing during the last ride?

Hi, First year for oil pressure light was 1969.

Some call these idiot lights. That is not correct. They are warning lights that give valuable information to rider.

Is a high beam indicator, or turn signal indicator light for idiots?

Problem is with the oil light, is hard to see in bright sunlight.

I’d wager if the 67 had oil light this damage likely would not have occurred. Is gauge better? Only if you look at it. Often warning light catches your eye sooner.
Don